For The Love of Animals...

Animals are of great importance to us, especially here in the South. We use them for food, to help us hunt, to assist those with disabilities, and, most importantly, to provide company and comfort when we need them. Animals are seen as part of the family. This is why I am highlighting some of our new non-fiction titles that center around animals of all kinds--cats and dogs, domestic and wild.

The Doggie in the Window by Rory Kress tells the story of how journalist Kress found a twelve-week-old wheaten terrier in a pet shop and didn't think twice about bringing her home and naming her Izzy. After all, the facility was USDA-licensed so Izzy couldn't possibly be a puppy mill dog, right? When Kress began her journey of becoming a mother, she began to wonder about Izzy's mom and so begins an eye-opening journey through the world of dog livestock auctions, puppy mills, and internet sales sites to uncover the truth about the so-called "pure bred" puppies. My only problem with this book is that there are no photos to illustrate the authors important discoveries and show the consumer what it is really like in the world of factory-farmed puppies.

If you decide you want a pure-bred puppy, choose a reputable breeder who raises the pups in their own home. In order to choose the dog right for you and your family, check-out The Good, the Bad, and the Furry by Sam Stall. Like the title suggests, the author gives it to you straight in this book of dog breeds. Under each breed, you will find the standard for height, weight, coat, and intelligence as well as where and with what kind of person this dog thrives. You will also find out about the origin of the breed, the trademark traits, any hassles in training or behavior, and any medical problems that plague the particular breed. You are also given a kind of cross reference for similar breeds you may want to check into. My favorite section under each breed, however, is entitled "If someone broke into my house, this dog would..." These are the most hilarious and sometimes painfully honest observations of these dogs. For instance, we learn that the dalmatian is a wonderful watchdog, he/she will "Wake the dead with its furious barking, then open up a can of four-alarm whoopass" on anyone who breaks into your house.

The Pug Who Bit Napoleon: Animal Tales of the 18th & 19th Centuries is a small tome by Mimi Matthews. Divided into sections according to type of animal--dog, cat, horse, etc.--this book tells little snippets about various famous figures and the animals that played an important role in their lives. You can learn about the titular pug who gave the Emperor of France a nip, Alexander Pope's devoted Great Dane, and even about the Bloodhounds hired to hunt Jack the Ripper. If nothing else, this book is totally worth checking out just for the stunningly beautiful color portraits of the animals.

Dr. Carin Bondar shows us that the trials, tribulations, and victories of motherhood are not exclusive to homo sapiens in her book Wild Moms: Motherhood in the Animal Kingdom. Breaking motherhood into its various stages, Bondar discusses the diversity of development, cooperative and communal child rearing, brood parasitism, pregnancy, birth, weaning, and all the problems that come with these stages and how various species handle them. One of her chapters also highlights that other animal species suffer from depression and abuse just as humans do. This book is a good look at mothering across many species and it is informative and easy for the lay person to understand.

Next week is Banned Book Week - Celebrate Your Right to Read!

Book banning isn't a thing of the past - every day, books are being challenged and some are being removed from shelves.

In 2017 alone, 416 books were challenged or banned in the United States. The reasons are as different as the books and include :

• Disapproval of the title of the book irregardless of the contents (ie: the classic horse story, Black Beauty)

• Ethnic stereotypes (ie: Huckleberry Finn, Gone with the Wind)

• Disagreements with the book's theme (ie: And Tango Makes Three)

• Offensive language (ie: To Kill a Mockingbird)

• Violence (ie: The Hunger Games)

• Use of magic (ie:  the Harry Potter series, the Strega Nona series)

• Too scary (ie: the Goosebumps series, the Fear Street series)

• Use of slang or bad grammar by the characters (ie: the Junie B. Jones series)

• Sexuality of the characters (ie: Are You There, God, It's Me, Margaret)

As you can see, many of the reasons are very subjective.  We support parents making choices for what their own children read, but leaving books available for others to choose.  Celebrate your right to read - ;pick up a banned book and give it a try.

Cookbooks

Good Food--Fast!: Deliciously Healthy Gluten-Free Meals for People on the Go by Jason Roberts an internationally known celebrity chef, cookbook author, and cast member of the hit daytime talk show “The Chew” on ABC. (From Lyonspress.com) Food is fuel for the body and mind. Chef Roberts knows that if you plan better, you eat better, and he shares the healthy cooking techniques that preserve the inherent nutrients that are present in foods that come directly from nature. Eating well doesn’t have to be boring, tasteless, or time-consuming. With a little imagination, creativity, and advance planning, your life can truly open up to the world of gloriously rewarding foods. Good Food--Fast! includes 100 tasty and accessible recipes, such as Rosemary and Sweet Potato Frittata, for anyone who wants to eat healthfully without sacrificing flavor.

Next, we have Ani's Raw Food Essentials: Recipes and Techniques for Mastering the Art of Live Food. (from Alibris.com) Chef Ani Phyo is back with Ani's Raw Food Essentials, full of everything you need to know to master the art of live food. Phyo shows you how to whip up simple, fresh recipes using what you've already got in your kitchen while also offering tips on dehyrating and more sophisticated techniques. Looking for innovative meals that are healthy and delicious? Phyo offers everything from classic comfort foods like nachos and burgers to Reuben sandwiches and bacon, along with more gourmet dishes like risotto, angel hair pasta, and her "you-won't-believe-they're-raw" desserts. Ani's Raw Food Essentials once again proves that you don't have to sacrifice taste to reap the benefits of raw foods, all while living a greener lifestyle. Recipes include: Broccoli and Cheeze Quiche, Kalamata Olive Crostini, Cashew "Tofu" in Miso Broth, Grilled Cheeze and Tomato Sandwiches, Cheeze Enchilada with Ranchero and Mole Sauce, Pad Thai, Pesto Pizza, and many more.

Korean BBQ is a casual and practical guide to grilling with Korean-American flavors from chef Bill Kim of Chicago's award-winning bellyQ restaurants, with 80 recipes tailored for home cooks with suitable substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients. Kim teaches the fundamentals of the Korean grill through flavor profiles that can be tweaked according to the griller's preference, then gives an array of knockout recipes. Starting with seven master sauces (and three spice rubs), you’ll soon be able to whip up a whole array of recipes, including Hoisin and Yuzu Edamame, Kimchi Potato Salad, Kori-Can Pork Chops, Seoul to Buffalo Shrimp, BBQ Spiced Chicken Thighs, and Honey Soy Flank Steak. From snacks and drinks to desserts and sides, Korean BBQ has everything you need to for a fun and delicious time around the grill. (from Amazon.com)

The Flavor Matrix by James Briscione is a revolutionary new guide to pairing ingredients, based on a famous chef's groundbreaking research into the chemical basis of flavor. A groundbreaking ingredient-pairing guide, The Flavor Matrix shows how science can unlock unheard-of possibilities for combining foods into astonishingly inventive dishes. Briscione distills chemical analyses of different ingredients into easy-to-use infographics, and presents mind-blowing recipes that he's created with them. The result of intensive research and incredible creativity in the kitchen, The Flavor Matrix is a must-have for home cooks and professional chefs alike: the only flavor-pairing manual anyone will ever need. (from Amazon.com)

Designed for One! By Nancy S. Hughes is a cookbook full of Diabetes-friendly recipes. This book is for ONE. It does not contain recipes that can feed an army of 4 to 6 which can leave you with a week's worth of unwanted (and expensive) leftovers, it feeds ONE! This book contains 120 budget-friendly recipes for the dinner hour, including salads, vegetables, grains, entrees and even desserts. As with all Nancy's books with the American Diabetes Association, the recipes are extremely easy to follow with main stream ingredients. The book begins with a 'How To' chapter which helps the reader learn how to shop economically, store properly, stock up 'smartly' and cut corners like a pro in an easy, bullet-form manner. The chapters focus on dinner, but break down into sections, such as salads, sides, entrees (including a wide variety of recipes from grilled and roasted recipes to soups and stews, skillet dishes, stir-fries, hot and cold sandwiches and main salads) and desserts. (from Amazon.com)

September is National Literacy Month!

It's National Literacy Month!  Come in and see the new resources we have available in our new Parents Resource Center to help you help your child learn and thrive

.  Books, puzzles, games, and more - we have a lot to offer.

A Compilation of Cozies

In The Cost of Living by Rachel Ward, supermarket checkout girl Bea teams up with the clumsy new trainee, Ant; but can she trust him? When a young woman is brutally attacked on her way home from the supermarket, Bea thinks it's her responsibility to figure out who did it. After all, the police don't seem to be doing anything about it really. As customers and coworkers alike become suspects, dirty secrets surface and fear grips the town. Will Bea risk losing the people she loves most to solve this mystery?

Murder of a Good Man is a Piney Woods Mystery by Teresa Trent. Nora Alexander has come to Piney Woods, Texas to fulfill her mother's dying wish, but things get a bit dangerous. First, she is run off the road, then the sealed letter she is to deliver to Piney Woods' most prominent citizen--Adam Brockwell--turns out to be a scathing rebuke. Before you know it, the beloved Mr. Brockwell is found stabbed to death and suspicion immediately falls on Nora--because she's an outsider and one of the last people to see him alive. Ordered by the flirty sheriff, Tuck, not to leave town, Nora finds herself working with Tuck's Aunt Marty trying to revive business at the rundown Tunie Hotel. Will the secrets the old hotel harbors help clear Nora's name?

Scot Free by Catriona McPherson features Scottish-born marriage counselor Lexy Campbell moving to California to chase the American Dream. When she fell in love and married her hunky husband, Lexy moved to California and began building her marriage counseling practice. Life was indeed bright. Six months later, however, she's divorced, broke, and on her way back to Scotland. When her only client--sweet Mrs. Bombarro--is arrested for killing her husband with a fireworks rocket, Lexy knows the cops have it all wrong. In order to help out her client, she has to find a cheap place to sleep. When she checks into the Last Ditch Motel, Lexy finds an unexpected slice of life and a whole new world of trouble.

Deja Moo is a Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mystery by Kirsten Weiss. Maddie Kosloski, owner of San Benedetto, California's Paranormal Museum is no fan of the Christmas Cow--a thirty-foot straw bovine that graces the town square each December. For one thing, it replaces her museum as the top attraction every Christmas. Not to mention, every year, despite round-the-clock guards, the darn thing goes up in flames. This year, however, the cow is not the only thing to bite it. One of the night guards is found with an arrow sticking out of his chest. On top of all this, it seems that her new haunted cowbell exhibit is causing a panic. Can she quell the hysteria and find a killer without getting distracted by the hunky Detective Slate?

Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton is the first of her Deputy Donut Mystery. Emily Westhill--along with her retired police chief father-in-law and her tabby, Deputy Donut--runs the best donut shop in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin. When one of her regulars doesn't show up for her knitting group, Emily and some of the woman's friends go searching at Georgia Teeter's home only to find her murdered among a pile of stale donuts. Georgia's murder coincides with her son's murder five years earlier. It was a case Emily's late husband never solved and she will have to revisit some painful memories to help free an innocent man and trace a killer.

Join us tomorrow for the grand opening of our Parent Resource Center!

Steamy Romances to Enjoy

 In Stefanie London's Bad Bachelor, everyone is talking about the hot new app that ranks New York's most eligible bachelors. It's not the Prince Charmings on the list that has everyone abuzz, but the list of so-called "Bad Bachelors"--NYC's most notorious bad boys. Number one on that list is Public Relations guru Reed McMahon, but he's ready to clock the next person who mentions Bad Bachelors to him. Reed is known as an "image fixer," but he needs a PR miracle of his own. He decides that helping a struggling library run by Darcy Greer may just be what he needs to take his mind off the list. Darcy is a streetwise Brooklynite who knows Reed is just the sort of guy she should avoid, however, the library is in desperate need of his help, so she reluctantly agrees to work with him. She soon realizes that there is more to Reed than his reputation and maybe, just maybe, he's the One for her.

In Tempest by Beverly Jenkins, Regan Carmichael is an independent spirit who has traveled to the Wyoming Territory as the mail order bride for Dr. Colton Lee. Only, when she arrives she shoots her intended in the shoulder instead of greeting him with a kiss. It was an honest mistake, but Regan begins to question her decision to marry a man she's never met. Colton buried his heart with his first wife and is insisting that he only wishes to marry so that his daughter will not grow up without a mother. However, the thought of having a forthright woman bold enough to brave the wilds of Wyoming begins to stir something in his soul. Despite his family's disapproval and the threat from an unseen enemy, Colton decides to risk it all to make this match a true union of body and soul.

All I Want for Halloween is a romance novel by Marie Harte. Sadie Liberato is tired of plain life, so she plans on letting go at the costume party this Halloween. Dressed up and anonymous, Sadie hasn't felt this powerful, sexy, and free in a long while. Gear Blackstone has decided to cut loose for one night and the added anonymity of a mask helps. His cheating ex and slime-ball best friend really threw him for a loop and managed to send his life into a tailspin. Gear manages to find the sexiest, snarkiest woman he's ever met. There is no doubt that Sadie and Gear have a scorching encounter and they each want to meet the other in real life, but will the heat remain when the masks come off?

Twelve Nights of Temptation by Barbara Dunlop is part of Whiskey Bay Brides trilogy. Even covered in grease, marine mechanic Tasha Lowell excites Matt Emerson who owns a charter-boat empire. Matt knows that Tasha isn't interested in a romance with the boss, so he keeps his distance. Yet, a saboteur has targeted Matt's business and Tasha agrees to accompany him to the holiday ball to gather intel. Tasha was beautiful before the makeover, but now she takes Matt's breath away and keeping things strictly business is no longer an option.

August is Romance Awareness Month!

During August, why not celebrate Romance Awareness Month by checking out some of our romance novels?  We have authors from classical to modern day, including :

• Charlotte Bronte
• Jane Austin
• Joyce Carol Oates
• Denise Hunter
• Beverly Jenkins
• Cindy Woodsmall
• Jane Peart
• Lynsay Sands
• Jodi Thomas

Need more suggestions?  Watch our Facebook page for romance novels that have been turned into movies.

Parenting and Children's Education

Rethinking School: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education by Susan Wise Bauer offers a different perspective on the state of our educational system. Our K–12 school system is an artificial product of market forces. It isn’t a good fit for all—or even most—students. It prioritizes a single way of understanding the world over all others, pushes children into a rigid set of grades with little regard for individual maturity, and slaps “disability” labels over differences in learning style. In five illuminating sections, Bauer teaches parents how to flex the K–12 system, rather than the child. She closely analyzes the traditional school structure, gives trenchant criticisms of its weaknesses, and offers a wealth of advice for parents of children whose difficulties may stem from struggling with learning differences, maturity differences, toxic classroom environments, and even from giftedness.  Rethinking School is a guide to one aspect of sane, humane parenting: negotiating the twelve-grade school system in a way that nurtures and protects your child’s mind, emotions, and spirit. (from Goodreads.com)

In The Good News About Bad Behavior, author Katherine Reynolds Lewis tries to answer the question: Why don't our kids do what we want them to do? Parents often take the blame for misbehavior, but this obscures a broader trend: in our modern, highly connected age, children have less self-control than ever. About half of the current generation of children will develop a mood or behavioral disorder or a substance addiction by age eighteen. Contemporary kids need to learn independence and responsibility, yet our old ideas of punishments and rewards are preventing this from happening. To stem this growing crisis of self-regulation, journalist and parenting expert Katherine Reynolds Lewis articulates what she calls The Apprenticeship Model, a new theory of discipline that centers on learning the art of self-control. Blending new scientific research and powerful individual stories of change, Lewis shows that, if we trust our children to face consequences, they will learn to adapt and moderate their own behavior. She watches as chaotic homes become peaceful, bewildered teachers see progress, and her own family grows and evolves these new ideas. You'll recognize your own family in Lewis's sensitive, realistic stories, and you'll find a path to making everyone in your home more capable, kinder, and happier--including yourself. (from Goodreads.com)

Angela C. Santomero, MA, the award-winning creator of children’s television phenomena Blue’s Clues, Super Why!, and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood knows that the preschool years—when children are between the ages of two and five—are the most influential, important years in a child’s life. In Preschool Clues, she breaks down the philosophy behind her shows—educating, inspiring, and empowering kids—into concrete strategies that parents and educators can incorporate into their family and classroom to set their preschoolers up for success, such as:

-Intentionally pausing to foster bonding, independence, and resilience

-Developing empathy and confidence through soliciting preschoolers’ help

-Becoming “fluent” in the language of preschoolers: Play

-Igniting your preschooler’s curiosity

-Being an involved co-player everyday

-Designing a healthy media diet

In Preschool Clues, Angela shares the latest research from top thinkers in child development and education. Through her practical, straightforward advice and inspiring, conversational approach, you will not only understand exactly what your children are learning from the shows they watch and why these shows are so effective, you’ll know exactly how to apply these same proven approaches in your daily life and with the same powerful results. (from Goodreads.com)

Feed the Baby Hummus teaches parents to confidently incorporate various multicultural practices into their own care taking plan. Pediatrician Lisa Lewis offers the wisdom and proven care taking practices of the cultures of the world, drawn from her own training, research, travel, and clinical experience. Although certain standards of care must exist for babies to thrive and be happy, Feed the Baby Hummus offers a variety of cross-cultural parenting information and baby care guidance from a trusted source. Parenting practices vary widely between countries and cultures. For example, in countries such as the Philippines, breastfeeding after age one year is common, and parents can make their own decision about what is right for their family. In Korea, babies eat a variety of spices and flavors, helping them develop a diverse palate and healthy eating habits. And in Italy, parents prevent separation anxiety by taking their babies to markets, restaurants, and churches and passing them around from person to person. (from Goodreads.com)

Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Parent and Physician delves into all these questions and more. As the father of a daughter with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and as a trained psychiatrist who specializes in ASD, Dr. Michael A. Ellis provides a holistic view of what comes after diagnosis. In user-friendly tones, he answers the most commonly asked questions about what it's like to live with ASD, what medications and therapies are available, and the global impact it has on the child's environment. With the help of his wife, Lori Layton Ellis, to provide a mother's perspective, Dr. Ellis shares personal stories of their 10-year journey to provide insight and support for anyone - patient, parent, caregiver - traversing the difficulties of autism and helping parent to answer questions like: What does it mean to be on the autism spectrum? How will this affect your child's life, your life, the life of your family, and others you interact with? What sorts of medications, therapies, and alternative methods are used to help manage the disorder? What are the financial and legal ramifications? How will this affect schooling, your spiritual growth, and everyday life? (from Goodreads.com)

The 9th edition of NOLO’s The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child covers two new Supreme Court decisions and developments in special-ed voucher programs. It provides key forms, sample letters, and resources you need at every stage of the IEP process. With it, you can make sure your child gets a good education. Federal law guarantees every child a free appropriate education, and the goal of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is to assure that every child with special needs receives what the law promises. But if you have a special-ed child, you know that your family must make sure the school follows through. This powerful book covers: 

-eligibility rules and assessments
-working with outside experts
-developing your child's ideal educational program
-preparing for and attending IEP meetings
-resolving disputes with school districts. 

It's Almost Time for Back to School!

The Warren County Vicksburg Public Schools and Vicksburg Catholic Schools will be restarting classes on Tuesday, August 7.

Don't forget about all the resources we have here at our library and available online to help with homework!

On the front page of our catalog (located at https://wcvpl.biblionix.com/catalog/ ), you can find links to :

• AR Book Finder (Accelerated Reader)
• Gale Virtual Reference Library (Access the Library's Electronic Reference collection 24/7.)
• Grey House Online Databases
• MAGNOLIA (online research databases for publicly funded K-12 schools, public libraries, community college libraries, and university libraries in Mississippi.)
• World Book Online (Tens of thousands of authoritative articles with photographs, illustrations, and maps)

Have a great 2018-2019 school year!